FRANKFORT, Ky. (LEX 18) – Performing an abortion in Kentucky would be illegal after a fetal heartbeat is detectable under legislation pre-filed by Rep. Robert Goforth, R-East Bernstadt.
Under the legislation, abortion providers would be required to check for a fetal heartbeat before performing an abortion. If a heartbeat is detected, it would be a Class D felony to perform an abortion absent a medical emergency.
Providers would be required to document the reason if they decide a medical emergency exists.
A fetal heartbeat may be detectable as early as five-and-a-half to six weeks after gestation, according to healthline.com.
The fetal heartbeat bill will be considered in the Kentucky General Assembly’s 2019 session, which begins on Jan. 8. A similar bill has passed both houses of the Ohio Legislature and is on its way to the desk of Gov. John Kasich.
